Kenny Cooper embraces return to Dallas

FRISCO – Training ended 45 minutes ago, but Kenny Cooper is still on the field.

He’s sending shot after shot at the net with the help of some younger players serving the ball from the wings.

It’s a scene not that different from four years ago, the last time Cooper donned the red and white-hooped FC Dallas jersey. The time spent practicing and a drive to be the best on the field is exactly what FCD was looking for when they acquired Cooper two weeks ago.

It’s an expectation Cooper plans to live up to.

“Schellas and Fernando [Clavijo] have made me feel very appreciated,” Cooper said after training of the coach and technical director who brought him back to his hometown. “When you feel that sense of appreciation and people are putting faith in you, you want to repay it. I want to make sure I’m doing the right things everyday so I can do well for them.”

It’s a homecoming for Cooper in many ways – back to the city he grew up in and reunited with a coaching staff he is very familiar with. Hyndman tried to recruit Cooper when he was at SMU and took over at FC Dallas in 2008 when Cooper was on the roster.

“This is my hometown so it’s good to come back. There’s a couple of familiar faces around here, but I’ve really enjoyed meeting the new guys and being back in familiar settings,” Cooper said.

Hyndman is just as happy as Cooper is about returning to Dallas. Hyndman said Cooper will play a vital role for FCD in 2013. When asked what he learned on FCD’s recent trip to Cancun, Hyndman didn’t mince words.